All Smiles

[K22]

Farmer friend of mine called this morning. He is going to plant alfalfa in one of the fields I have hunted for many years but haven't hunted in the last 3 - 4 years since he had planted wheat and corn.

This is one of the best fields I ever hunted in past years. A long tree line borders on one side and in the past, it was loaded with ground hogs. The best way to hunt this field is parallel to the tree line at each end since it runs about 500 yards total with rolling terrain.

He reported seeing a bunch of new holes in the tree line and wants me to whittle down the hogs, so they don't eat his alfalfa crop. In the years past when he had planted alfalfa, by mid-summer those bad boys would eat about 20 yards out from the tree line almost the entire length of it leaving just stems.

The best part is I can access this field with minimum walking since I can drive to within 200 yards of it. This old body needs help.

I am all smiles today, heading to the range this afternoon to tuned me up, rifles work fine, I am the weak link.

 

[7br]

Sounds ideal. Lucky man to have access to a great spot!!

 

[357Mag]

Farmer friend of mine called this morning. He is going to plant alfalfa in one of the fields I have hunted for many years but haven't hunted in the last 3 - 4 years since he had planted wheat and corn.

This is one of the best fields I ever hunted in past years. A long tree line borders on one side and in the past, it was loaded with ground hogs. The best way to hunt this field is parallel to the tree line at each end since it runs about 500 yards total with rolling terrain.

He reported seeing a bunch of new holes in the tree line and wants me to whittle down the hogs, so they don't eat his alfalfa crop. In the years past when he had planted alfalfa, by mid-summer those bad boys would eat about 20 yards out from the tree line almost the entire length of it leaving just stems.

The best part is I can access this field with minimum walking since I can drive to within 200 yards of it. This old body needs help.

I am all smiles today, heading to the range this afternoon to tuned me up, rifles work fine, I am the weak link.

K22-

" The right man, for the right job ! "


With regards,
357MAg

 

[RegionRat]

No prisoners....

 

[varmintshooter]

Nice.

 

[K22]

K22-

" The right man, for the right job ! "


With regards,
357MAg

Thanks for the vote of confidence but I ain't the field shooter I once was but I still keep going out on ghog safaris.

Nothing like enjoying a fine cigar and taking a nap under a nice shade tree.

 

[WyleWD]

Farmer friend of mine called this morning. He is going to plant alfalfa in one of the fields I have hunted for many years but haven't hunted in the last 3 - 4 years since he had planted wheat and corn.

This is one of the best fields I ever hunted in past years. A long tree line borders on one side and in the past, it was loaded with ground hogs. The best way to hunt this field is parallel to the tree line at each end since it runs about 500 yards total with rolling terrain.

He reported seeing a bunch of new holes in the tree line and wants me to whittle down the hogs, so they don't eat his alfalfa crop. In the years past when he had planted alfalfa, by mid-summer those bad boys would eat about 20 yards out from the tree line almost the entire length of it leaving just stems.

The best part is I can access this field with minimum walking since I can drive to within 200 yards of it. This old body needs help.

I am all smiles today, heading to the range this afternoon to tuned me up, rifles work fine, I am the weak link.

I am SO happy to hear that you're going to be out after the chucks. If he cuts his alfalfa once every 6-8 weeks like most do you should have clear shooting off and on until late September. This should keep you out of trouble for a few months. Good luck and keep us posted. WD

 

[DRK]

Thanks for the vote of confidence but I ain't the field shooter I once was but I still keep going out on ghog safaris.

Nothing like enjoying a fine cigar and taking a nap under a nice shade tree.

We are getting ready here too! We are already seeing wood chucks moving, we have not had much of a winter. Going to let them percolate a while longer before going out, ensure future generations.

 

[Doug Casner]

I never smiled when I went to a alfalfa field. All I did was work my ass off. Doug

 

[jpx2rk]

Enjoy, and post pictures of your time spent chasing the hogs.

 

[jepp2]

by mid-summer those bad boys would eat about 20 yards out from the tree line almost the entire length of it leaving just stems.

Congrats on your good fortune. Be grateful they don't do what prairie dogs do. In addition to dining on the tender shoots of new growth, when the alfalfa is deemed to be tall enough to keep them from seeing overhead threats, they will cut crop circles around their mounds overnight. Just nip off the plants at the base and it is left to dry and decay.

 

[K22]

We are getting ready here too! We are already seeing wood chucks moving, we have not had much of a winter. Going to let them percolate a while longer before going out, ensure future generations.

Going to try next week for a safari. It's suppose to be in the 60's - we'll see. At my age, I can't afford to wait, the "sand in running out of the hourglass" rapidly.

 

[K22]

I am SO happy to hear that you're going to be out after the chucks. If he cuts his alfalfa once every 6-8 weeks like most do you should have clear shooting off and on until late September. This should keep you out of trouble for a few months. Good luck and keep us posted. WD

Not much gets me excited these days but when a farmer calls and requests The Ground Hog Man, well it don't get any better than that!

Next week it is supposed to be in the 60's, going on a recon mission to check those holes he claims are there. Nothing more beautiful than a freshly dug out hole, well, I should qualify that - for an old fart.

"Have Rifle with Travel" 

 

[Bottom Fodder]

We going to won’t a “Harvest count” enjoy every minute

 

[LHSmith]

Good deal. Just sad to think that we here in NE Pensyltucky have lost so many prime farm fields due to development. Up to twenty years ago I could take an hour long GH safari just across the road from my house. I haven't seen a single GH yet this season- just started seeing robins. If you have problems getting a new load together with an alternate powder I can help you out with some H4895 you were looking for.

 

[jxb]

It's always nice when we're asked to come help out or allowed access.

In the early 80's I worked for an Idaho rancher that had a pretty nice population of rock chucks (yellow bellied marmot) and they figured each one ate or took about 1 bale of alfalfa each season. That's a lot of bales.

The holes in the field would have a circle around them about 40ft in diameter shortest near the hole and taller to the edge. We use to get in a lot of nice shooting back then. Funny part was some years later a club came in and nearly wiped out the population, the rancher was so mad he stopped allowing access. Apparently even they like the rule of always leave some breading pairs.

 

[snert]

Go get em! That IS great news K22! Enjoy the time.

 

[searcher]

Nothing like the anticipation of getting ready for a varmint hunt where there is a known likelihood of high-volume shooting. I'm doing last-minute prep for a shoot that will begin tomorrow on a known field my buddies and I have shot in the past - and when the squirrels are in full-cycle, can provide for an epic hunt. It is one of those places where I have taken 600 or 700 rounds and ran out of ammo pretty quickly. I won't be running out this time - but if I do - it will be one crazy time.

 

[K22]

As requested by some, here's an update.

I did go out on Thursday. The weather was absolutely perfect, in the mid 70's, sunny, and light wind.

I did a recon of the field in question. The farmer won't be planting alfalfa until April. The field was barren except for remnants of last year's corn crop. There were a number of active holes in the tree line. Several were dug out. A few were not dug out but open and could be promising. A few other were inactive holes but probably future homes of pups once mom kick them out of her burrow.

I set up but only sat for an hour or so. I didn't see anything but as Arnold said in the movie Terminator, "I'll be back". Once the field is planted it looks promising for sure.

Did visit another farm but they were sludging so that was a no-go. What a mess and the smell was other worldly.

Visit another farm, one I've hunted for over 20 years. I spent the rest of the afternoon there. I am reluctant to post written results because I can't post pictures with my new Lively Flip phone. I can take pictures and text them but can't upload to the computer. But just this one time I will share the afternoon. As back up, I did text a picture of the hog I got to a fellow member who can confirm, but I won't mention him without his approval. So, if he is reading this, he may want to verify my claim.

One emerged from the tree line about 4:00 PM. I ranged him at 292 yards. Using my new Leupold VX 5 HD and my ballistic chart I dial up 2 1/4 moa and sent the 50 Nosler BT from my 223 Weatherby Super Varmint Master. I hit him, he rolled over, but I pushed the shot to the right. It was a mortal wound, but he was still twitching so I sent another one and this one ended the drama.

Upon inspection, it was a large male. The first shot was indeed to the right, farther back that I wanted. Second shot was in the neck. The elevation adjustment was perfect. Didn't see another hog the rest of the day.

 

[Coonman300]

Not only will I confirm, here is the photo! I for one enjoy reading Don‘s stories of his groundhog hunts whether he posts pics or not. Great shot! Good luck with the new field Don!